Bark restraining device for dogs

Abstract

A device for use in the training of a dog, for example to dissuade the dog from barking. The device, which is carried by the collar of the dog, has a tank which carries a substance that affects the special senses of the dog, particularly the nose and the eyes. The tank has a valve which, when activated, releases a spray of the substance in the region of the head of the dog. An electronic circuit is provided to actuate the valve of the tank when desired, for example, in response to a signal from a microphone with a filter which is sensitive to the frequencies that correspond to those of the bark of the dog. The electronic circuit may also be responsive to a signal from a remote transmitter, to permit a trainer to actuate the release of the spray when desired as part of the training of the dog, and a selector switch may be provided to selectively permit the release of the spray either on command from a remote location or automatically in response to the barking of the dog. The special substance in the tank may either be in the form of a pressurized aerosol of the substance, or a pump may be provided to pressurize a normally unpressurized substance at the time of its release.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for dissuading a dog from barking and adapted to be carried by a collar worn by the dog around its neck, said device comprising: sound sensing means sensitive to sound frequencies characteristic of the frequency of the bark of the dog, said sound sensing means further being adapted to emit an electrical signal when actuated by the bark of the dog; and   means responsive to said electrical signal and carrying a substance which is adapted to dissuade the dog from barking, said means further being adapted to discharge a portion of said substance in the region of the head of the dog in response to said electrical signal, said means responsive to said electrical signal comprising a tank, said substance carried by said means responsive to said electrical signal being carried within said tank in a pressurized condition, said means responsive to said electrical signal further comprising a spray valve operatively associated with said tank, said spray valve further being activatable by said electrical signal to release said substance from said tank and to discharge said substance in a spray through said spray valve.   
     
     
       2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said electrical signal further comprises: an electric motor; and   a cam rotatably driven by said electric motor, said electric motor and said cam being adapted to be carried by said collar as part of said device.   
     
     
       3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said means responsive to said electrical signal further comprises an electric battery and electronic means for receiving said electrical signal. 
     
     
       4. The device according to claim 3 wherein said electronic means comprises reset means for resetting said device after discharging said portion of said substance. 
     
     
       5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said electrical signal further comprises an electric battery and electronic means for receiving said electrical signal. 
     
     
       6. The device according to claim 5 wherein said electronic means comprises reset means for resetting said device after discharging said portion of said substance.